…Concerned that purchases of metals could be financing armed conflict… HP and a handful of other companies are turning their attention to its suppliers of metals… which are used in everyday computing products and mobile phones... The near-term objective is to not purchase metals tied to armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, but there's a longer-term goal of certifying the source for minerals of all kinds, according to Zoe McMahon, HP's manager of supply chain social and environmental responsibility. Proceeds from illegal mining operations, which are controlled by military factions, are helping fuel a complex conflict that crosses between the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighboring Rwanda… Other IT-related companies that have worked on the DRC conflict minerals issue include Intel, Motorola, Dell, and Philips…